1988 LFX Build Lessons Learned/How to (Page 5/11)
RandomTask MAY 06, 05:03 PM
Video for those interested.

https://youtu.be/DtyswGVJ-wk
MikesFirstFiero MAY 09, 06:02 PM
I'm starting an LFX into an 88 project. Bought a wrecked 2018 Impala and have been ripping it apart. Going ot use the 6T70 automatic since I'm tired of shifting and the Impala does provide a manual shift up/down feature.

One thing I found is that the fuel pump has an external controller mounted in the trunk. In the outlet pipe at the fuel tank is a pressure sensor so the pressure is closed loop regulated. There are two lines from the fuel tank area to the engine. One is the fuel to the high pressure pump and the other (I think) is the purge line from the charcoal cannister, which is mounted on the side of the tank.

Since I've got the fuel pump I may try to adapt it to the Fiero tank, But the opening is really big and it may not fit properly. I've also heard of using a corvette fuel filter that has an internal pressure regulator. That would be much simpler but I'm not sure how the fuel sender works. Is it a canbus item? Analog? One more thing to mess with.

Your idea of using a Camaro AirCon compressor sounds good but does this require the original Fiero ECU to be retained?

For instruments I'm fitting the Impala gauge panel into the Fiero Housing. Hooking up a Canbus is much easier than figuring how to make the tach and VSS work. Turns out the 6T70 has both of these sensors internally but they are digitized. Good for me with the auto but unless someone makes a CanBus set of instruments it's a pain.

If you could I'd appreciate more photos of your motor mounting? I'm about to start that in a week or two and any advice would be welcomed.
RandomTask MAY 10, 03:36 PM
Why can't anything be simple...

Figured I'd replace my driver side dew wipe while I wait for parts/axles. Sure as hell, all but one of the phillips rounded out. I dont know what they are made of but they were killing my Ti drill bits trying to get them out. So, onky way left was to take off the door skin and get behind them with some needle nose vice grips. I win.


RandomTask MAY 10, 03:38 PM
Will MAY 10, 04:17 PM
For some definition of "win"?

Now you have to POR-15 all the door metal.

[This message has been edited by Will (edited 05-10-2021).]

RandomTask MAY 10, 05:02 PM

quote
Originally posted by Will:

For some definition of "win"?

Now you have to POR-15 all the door metal.




Haha, if I get what I originally wanted by ripping crap apart, I count that as a win

I *would* POR-15 the door at this point however, body work is the next step. Trying to get the car mechanically where I want it first. This includes buying/installing some fiero guru coilovers, eventually getting the spare front suspension I dropped off for powder coat over a year ago to a buddy and installing that (With my rebuilt rack), installing the ECU bracket and finish running the last 2-3 wires so it's in a drivable state, and wilwoods all around.

THEN I want to install a bunch of aero panels (while keeping it a notchback). I've been on the hunt for someone parting out a GT so I can snag the body panels off of it but either I've been out of the game too long or people want high prices. I remember selling entire GT's for a couple hundred bucks. When I rip off all the panels to get painted, then I'll POR-15 the entire frame.

Ordered some SS brake lines from fiero store as well; those should get here thursday (along with the ECU bracket). Also ordered some gauges (AEM oil pressure and fuel pressure) to install in the cluster. Once I install all these, AND the axles, it will make it easier to figure out why the car starts running like doo-doo once it goes into closed loop.
RandomTask MAY 10, 05:05 PM

quote
Originally posted by MikesFirstFiero:

I'm starting an LFX into an 88 project. Bought a wrecked 2018 Impala and have been ripping it apart. Going ot use the 6T70 automatic since I'm tired of shifting and the Impala does provide a manual shift up/down feature.

One thing I found is that the fuel pump has an external controller mounted in the trunk. In the outlet pipe at the fuel tank is a pressure sensor so the pressure is closed loop regulated. There are two lines from the fuel tank area to the engine. One is the fuel to the high pressure pump and the other (I think) is the purge line from the charcoal cannister, which is mounted on the side of the tank.

Since I've got the fuel pump I may try to adapt it to the Fiero tank, But the opening is really big and it may not fit properly. I've also heard of using a corvette fuel filter that has an internal pressure regulator. That would be much simpler but I'm not sure how the fuel sender works. Is it a canbus item? Analog? One more thing to mess with.

Your idea of using a Camaro AirCon compressor sounds good but does this require the original Fiero ECU to be retained?

For instruments I'm fitting the Impala gauge panel into the Fiero Housing. Hooking up a Canbus is much easier than figuring how to make the tach and VSS work. Turns out the 6T70 has both of these sensors internally but they are digitized. Good for me with the auto but unless someone makes a CanBus set of instruments it's a pain.

If you could I'd appreciate more photos of your motor mounting? I'm about to start that in a week or two and any advice would be welcomed.



Running the auto may make things easier from a harness perspective. That stated, you'll more than likely need custom axles. There are TONS of gauge panels that can read off canbus. In fact, right now I have a $30 blue tooth reader that hooks up to the diagnostic port (and goes to my phone/ipad) that I can see tons of information off of.
Blacktree MAY 10, 07:19 PM
Sounds good!

I'd love to hear one of these engines with some lumpy cams (i.e. idle chop).
Dennis LaGrua MAY 10, 09:31 PM

quote
Originally posted by Blacktree:

Sounds good!

I'd love to hear one of these engines with some lumpy cams (i.e. idle chop).



The LFX engine family already provides 300-325 HP in a much lighter package, more than most of the other V6 swap choices and the LS4. It can probably make more horsepower but stock should provide really good performance.

------------------
" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

RandomTask MAY 11, 10:19 AM

quote
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:


The LFX engine family already provides 300-325 HP in a much lighter package, more than most of the other V6 swap choices and the LS4. It can probably make more horsepower but stock should provide really good performance.




Yup. Already have a cart built from MACE engineering. Once I get all the electrical/mechanical issues figured out and body finished, everything is coming back out and installing a built LFX (Forged internals, cams,) and under boost.